Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-11-05
phNs oE NE rlATroaM.


When DistmguisiIed Lecturors Spoke
1hea Pieces FOR u Moderate Sum.
II The early days Of the platform tie
most distinguished lecturers seldom re-
ccived more than $50 a lecture, exclusive
of expenses, and they usually visited large
towns within a given territory. They
Travelled with comfort; put up at good
inns, when they did not accept private
hospitality and wete generously treated
Ia every respect. But, as time went on,
and The business increased, their field ex-
panded. and great FATIGUE and hardship
had 10 be Incurred. Prices were much
higher; but they We're hardly in proper
ton 10 the augmented labor and trials.
Lecturers We're expected 10 Journey far
beyond the Mississippi into wild REGIONS,
where accommodations Of every sort
were OF the seamless and poorest. AS
they had 10 make close connections, and
as the most active season was in winter,
early rising aud dressing IN cold rooms,
waiting at comfortless railway stations.
and staying at miserable taverns, com
bined with uninterrupted hard work, ire
gular meals and severe nervous strain,
was such draft on strength and health
that few constitutions could endure it.
Many lecturers were obliged to relinquish
their calling altogether, more to conllne
their engagements TO a limited area, While
not few were 50 broken down that they
never recovered. Those who had been
long in the field say that there is no toll
equal 10 it, that il is the most arduous
way Of earning money with which they
have any acquaintance.
DR.. Holmes, still spontaneous end bril-
liant in his 18th year, was a favorite lee
tttrer before the war, but found the strain
and drain ON his nervous system al-
together too great for his healthful
though delicate organization. lie knew
that il he did not give up lectoring it
would give him up; consequently, for a
quarter Of century he has refused to be
again begslilcd into the field by the most
hattering offers. lie owes his longevity
to his extreme care Of himself in every
way. lie enjoys life so keenly that he is
unwilling to surrender any particle Of it
which he can retain by the exercise Of
constant vigilance
DR.. J. G. Holland had a superb consti-
tuition and exceptional health, which
failed suddenly, and during his last years
he suffered much lie always ascribed
his break down to the exhaustive toll Of
itinerant lecturing.
Bayard Taylor, who had a fine ply
sique, SO spent his early force by long
period of lecturing that he passed away
in comparative youth, when his pros
poets were brightest and ibis reputation
was steadily rising
John B. Cough, though he lived to a
good age, would doubtless have lived
much longer had he retired from the ros-
trum He had had repeated warnings,
but he did not heed them. He paid the
penalty Of wronging nature and disre-
garling prudential considerations.
Henry Ward Beecher would probably
have been alive today but for his persist
ency in lecturing No man has had a
more vigorous body, with more abound
ing health; but he would make long and
tiresome journeys. lecturing all over the
country and in Great Britain, and this,
with the numberess other tasks he set
himself, killed him at 70, though his
father, whose ruggedness he inherited,
lived beyond 81.
Wendell Phillips, George William Cur
tbs, james Parton, Parke Goodwin, DON
aid G. Mitchell and many other of the
early lecturers were obliged to surrender
featuring, to any extent, on account Of
the injury it did their health. They de-
clare that the most rugged constitution
will yield to the extraordinary tension
after a number of years, and their ex-
perience has clearly demonstrated their
opinion to be correct. -Junius Henri
Brownin Globe Democrat.